The organised labour in Enugu
State has commended Dr. Peter
Mbah for his many achievements
in bettering the well-being of the
people and workers of the state,
describing him as a “promise keeper” and “the most worker-friendly
governor in Nigeria.”
The workers also commended Mbah for his policies, programmes, and projects, which they
said were turning the state around
in record time.
This was even as Governor
Mbah, speaking through the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai,
renewed his commitment to the
welfare of the people and workers,
restating his resolve to go beyond
the immediate palliatives such
as wage awards to create wealth,
functional systems and institutions that drastically reduce the
burdens that currently drain
workers’ income.
The workers gave Mbah the
commendations through the
Chairman of the Trade Union
Congress (TUC) in the state, Comrade Ben Asogwa, and his Nigeria
Labour Congress (NLC) counterpart, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo,
during the May Day celebration
at Okpara Square, Enugu, on
Wednesday.
Comrade Nwigbo said, “We
cannot thank Your Excellency
enough for your worker-friendly
dispositions and policies, which
are manifestly translated into
enormous benefits, which the
people of Enugu State, especially
workers, are enjoying since the
inception of your administration.
“We can only mention this few
for purposes of emphasis: massive
water projects ongoing in Enugu
State to ensure quality drinkable
water for the people is worthy of
note. The proposal and effort to
grow the economy of Enugu State
from $.4.4bn to $30bn with the attendant economic and social benefits to the people is notable.
“The clearing of pension arrears and regular payment of
same to state pensioners is a welcome development.
“We cannot forget so soon the
payment of N25,000 wage award
to state workers and secondary
school teachers as palliatives, payment of N10,000 wage award to
local government workers and primary school teachers, and prompt
payment of worker salaries.
“Promotion of workers as
and when due, building of smart
schools in the 260 political wards
of Enugu State to enhance the education of our children at no costs
are typical instances of putting the
people first.
“The ongoing road construction and rehabilitation in almost
the entire state is absolutely commendable. The proposed New
Enugu City where work is ongoing with the gains of decongesting
the already congested Enugu city
is also noteworthy.
“Importantly, the outstanding improvement in security of
lives and property, especially the
defeat of the non-state actors that
destroyed business activities on
Mondays in Enugu in the name
of sit-at-home is a major feat.”
The workers, however, requested the Mbah administration
to ensure the commencement of
payment of the arrears of gratuity immediately after the verification of the beneficiaries; payment
of the arrears of pension to the
state parastatals retirees, primary school retirees, and local
government retirees; payment
of arrears of inherited annual
leave allowance as soon as practicable, training and retaining
of workers to enhance their productivity; and assistance towards
the completion of the new labour
secretariat.
Nwigbo enjoined workers in
the state to reciprocate the governor’s workers-friendliness through
high productivity and discipline.
Meanwhile, Governor Mbah,
represented by the Deputy Governor, thanked the workers for their
support and industry, promising
to look into their remaining demands.
“We know how hard it is for
everyone now. But we appeal to
our workers to be patient with us
because we are doing everything
we can, within the means available
to government, to to make life a lot
better for workers in Enugu State
Organised Labour Declare Mbah Most Worker-Friendly Governor ***Commend Him For Turning The State Around In Record Time
